Abuelita was born early in the 20th century and lived through three generations and was always very close with her family. Abue, as they called her, was the oldest of her nine other brothers and sisters and played a motherly role when they were growing up and always took care of them. She learned family recipes from her mother, who had learned them from her mother, who had learned them from her parents. Still, she was a wise old woman when Hija knew her and when Hija remember her.
Most of Hija’s memories from when Abue was alive and Hija visited her were of cooking as the whole family. They had a very tiny kitchen, so they must squeeze behind people to get to the sink. The kitchen was so cramped that most of the cereals and other grains are kept in the oven shelf. Hija’s Abuelita was the one always teaching them everything about the kitchen and was the best cook of the whole family. Abuelita always used recipes she had written down on little cards she kept in an old chocolate box. Hija could hardly read them, because the handwriting looked so old. Abue never really needed the recipes though- she knew most of them off the top of her head. When it was time to get the groceries, they would usually go to the local market. They would walk through a tunnel to the center square. The market was located right across from there, behind a fabric store that also served as a lingerie boutique. It was a little hidden, but once they turned the corner, they could see the vast stretch of different stands and counter areas. Pig heads hung from the ceiling and fresh-stacked fruit was everywhere like wallpaper. Hija liked going with Abue because, despite the disarranged mess the market looked like, she knew exactly where she was going and what she needed. Even if two different vendors were selling squash flowers, both of which looked healthy, orange and delicious, she knew which one was better and the freshest. After buying all their groceries, Hija’s and her cousins and lugged them all home, sometimes four bags on each hand, back through the tunnel (she always had the children carry the bags for the grandparents).
Once they got down to the actual cooking, Abue ordered them to all do different tasks. Hija usually did slicing and cut most of the produce. Hija remember one day we made “rosquillas de queso” (Easter cheese donuts) and Hija’s job was to take the cactus needle and poke holes all around the sides. This way, they kept their shape and also cooked well in the middle. Her cousin, Marianna, usually mixed any sort of dough or batter; she did it with her hands in a giant wooden bowl. Her other cousin, the oldest, was in charge of then putting these things to cook. While they all performed their individual tasks, Abue moved quickly around the kitchen, constantly giving them instruction, whether they asked for it or not. She was most comfortable in the kitchen, and knew each ingredient as well and anyone would know her most important tools. Even though the cooking process was quite intense and a lot of work for the little kids, they knew, even at that age, that we were learning age-old traditions from their family. It was important that they knew these to teach others. Abuelita was still always warm and welcoming and shared her wisdom with them everyday.
Most of Hija’s memories from when Abue was alive and Hija visited her were of cooking as the whole family. They had a very tiny kitchen, so they must squeeze behind people to get to the sink. The kitchen was so cramped that most of the cereals and other grains are kept in the oven shelf. Hija’s Abuelita was the one always teaching them everything about the kitchen and was the best cook of the whole family. Abuelita always used recipes she had written down on little cards she kept in an old chocolate box. Hija could hardly read them, because the handwriting looked so old. Abue never really needed the recipes though- she knew most of them off the top of her head.
Once they got down to the actual cooking, Abue ordered them to all do different tasks. Hija usually did slicing and cut most of the produce. Hija remember one day we made “rosquillas de queso” (Easter cheese donuts) and Hija’s job was to take the cactus needle and poke holes all around the sides. This way, they kept their shape and also cooked well in the middle. Her cousin, Marianna, usually mixed any sort of dough or batter; she did it with her hands in a giant wooden bowl. Her other cousin, the oldest, was in charge of then putting these things to cook. While they all performed their individual tasks, Abue moved quickly around the kitchen, constantly giving them instruction, whether they asked for it or not. She was most comfortable in the kitchen, and knew each ingredient as well and anyone would know her most important tools. Even though the cooking process was quite intense and a lot of work for the little kids, they knew, even at that age, that we were learning age-old traditions from their family. It was important that they knew these to teach others. Abuelita was still always warm and welcoming and shared her wisdom with them everyday.